Top 10 Greatest Jazz Upright Bass Players (of ALL Time)
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- Опубліковано 26 кві 2024
- For today’s video, I decided to try and compile a top ten list of the best upright bass players in jazz. You may not be familiar with every name on this list, but anyone who’s ever picked up bass will have borrowed at least a handful of techniques or ideas that one of these icons brought to the table.
Want to know who is the crème de la crème of upright bass?
Enough said, [here’s who I believe are the best ever].
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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The legendary Paul Chambers not being on this list is a massive oversight.
Seriously. How was he not even mentioned?
Well.. i agree... But, in other side, i cant remove any of the cats Scott named
@@lucasbatistamusica8677 You can easily switch out the french bow guy, not farly as important. The only two on this list that is arguably close in terms of importance is Ray and Ron.
Agreed! Don't want to take one out? Make it a Top 11 then. Paul Chambers is a must on any jazz bass player list.
I don't really have to watch the rest of the video now.....thanks!
Solid list. 3 guys that missing that I feel are 3 of the most important/ influential jazz bassists are:
1. Jimmy Blanton - one of the first to bring the bass in front of the band as a soloist.
2. Oscar Pettiford- the first real bebop bassist as a soloist.
3. Paul Chambers - played with everyone, had an undeniable quarter note, and progressed the bass as a solo instrument
It's a crime that Paul Chambers is not given more credit. His bass playing on Kind of Blue is worthy of praise.
Agreed. My list as well.
@@absoluteunit8628 his stuff with Red Garland was amazing too.
Oscar Pettiford is one of the first bass virtuosos idk why he isn't in there
Paul Chambers is my absolute favorite.
I had to go so far down the comments to find Stanley Clarke. At 17/18 years old he was a phenom. At age 18, Chick Correa produced Stanley’s first album “Children Are Forever!” That fact in itself speaks volumes.
Always gonna be some left out, but Stanley seems a dubious omission. I think it's arguable that he brought popular focus to bass, not only as a virtuosic instrument, but as a much more melodic way to accompany, as we hear on the original RTF, and Light as a Feather. Those two LPs, and first off, Moongerms, blew my mind and hooked me on acoustic bass.
Gary Peacock belongs on this list as well, not simply for his fabulous technique but also because of his philosophical approach, not only to his own instrument but music in general.
No. Not at all. Just, no. On par with Mingus? With PC? With Ray? No.
@@MatthewRybicki I'm with you, Matthew. Fuck Gary Peacock ;)
NHØP is just mindblowing. He played with Ben Webster, Brew Moore, Bud Powell, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Jackie McLean, and Ella Fitzgerald, When seventeen, he turned down an offer to join the Count Basie orchestra.
Don't forget Oscar Peterson!
@@thomasveal3351 Thta's how I remember him, NHØP playing with the mighty OP.
mindblowing is the perfect word for it! 😊 And I haven't seen any with the amount of technical skill like he had
I was lucky enough to see him in concert in Norway in the mid-nineties. Fantastic performer.
Actually his mom did.
Good listing. On the next you might include Eberhard Weber
Paul Chambers
Patitucci's tone is just remarkable.
My mentions are two teachers... Rufus Reid for the phenomenal "Evolving Bassist" and my old semi-retired instructor/Dean of CCC, NW bass legend Tom Wakeling. Teachers never get the credit... but none of these guys could do what they do without them.
There are so many good upright bass players that we would spend days discussing a top ten, but I think the list is alright. For their unique contributions in style and technique, I personally miss Eddie Gomez and Miroslav Vitous. I also love the work of Jean-François Jenny-Clark.
PAUL CHAMBERS
I m so glad you add Scott la Faro..this genius changed my life (even tough I just played upright at school years and years ago)..Im not an absolute jazz nerd, but damn, this guy was really something else..if he'd lived he'd have been the BEST of the best Upright players
the live sunday at village vanguard is just an absolute masterpiece!!
What’s mind blowing about Scott is he only played clarinet till he was 17 then switched to bass and was in the top 3 at aged 22
Top 10 upright jazz players without Paul Chambers, that was unexpected…
Great list! Brian Bromberg is an astonishing player as well.
So many great players! Paul Chambers should be added.
I got so excited when I saw Renaud Garcia-Fons. His playing has changed my life. And an absolute gentleman when I met him. RGF is like on other bassist out there.
Haden was the king of melodic bass lines. Every note he played was so beautiful.
Any list you make will be controversial. That’s the nature of these kinds of lists. Your list is a solid one. I think Paul Chambers and Jimmy Blanton should have been there as they were absolute giants of jazz bass in terms of influence and innovation in jazz. Fons, as great as he is, isn’t a jazz bassist and probably should be on another list. Other guys of note would be Eddie Gomez, Marc Johnson and Stanley Clarke. Stanley was extremely influential in the 70s.
Don't forget Danny Thompson. He was from a jazz background but was associated with the folk-rock scene in the UK, playing with the Pentangle and the Richard Thompson band and was a prolific session bassist but also had a trio of his own.
Eddie Gomez, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Garrison, Adam Ben Ezra. Nuff said.
My list... in no particular order, all equally incredible.
Buster Williams
Sam Jones
Peter Washington
Reggie Workman
Bob Cranshaw
Larry Ridley
Jimmy Garrison
Chuck Israels
Neil Swainson
Brian Bromberg
Brian Bromberg. Thank you
Bob Cranshaw 👌🙌
I think Stanley Clarke is worth a mention personally, as he's a good upright player
Yeah but he mentioned Clark, right after Carter
Stanley is a PHENOMEAL upright player!!!
That's true, I saw Stanley play upright in concert.
@@donh5794 Mee too many times! No one plays upright like Stanley! ua-cam.com/video/ldY1wR3G8L0/v-deo.html
He’s Grrrrreat! 😉
Avishai Cohen
For sure!
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen --- hands down the GOAT ... Brown, Carter, Mingus et al were my heros till I heard NHOP on Oscar Peterson and Stephane Grappelli's Jazz in Paris vol.1 1973. Not only the greatest chops ever, but THE best upright bass sound ever recorded. And yes, like Scott's trumpet player friend said, like a freight train getting ready to roll right over you. Mind blowing, a MUST listen to album. Oh yeah, try Miroslav Vitous's Freedom Jazz Dance on his 1970 Mountain in the Clouds album, another mind blower ;) Thx for the video Scott :)
European Jazz is so... European though. Jazz is an American art form, it's not that it can't be played elsewhere, it just won't be as good though. To be honest I don't think personally that it should be played anywhere but New Orleans, Chicago, and you can get away with Detroit or Baltimore, if you are really stretching it
@@buckemptier 🤪🤪🤪
Can't argue with those, but I'd add an honorable mention for Danny Thompson
As a few others have said, Paul Chambers, no doubt. Oscar Pettiford, Gary Peacock, Miroslav Vitous, George Mraz, Stanley
Hard to knock anyone off that list but…. Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Gomez and amongst the “doublers” : Stanley Clarke and Brian Bromberg
10 are not enough. My list wouldn't be complete without:
- Jean-François Jenny-Clarke;
- Gary Peacock;
- Avishai Cohen;
- Edgar Mayer;
- Paul Chambers;
- Milt Hinton; and
- Esperanza Spalding.
And that would only be the List with Jazz Players.
There are some outstanding musicians outside Jazz, such as: Thibault Delor, Sizão Machado, Zeca Assumpção, Cachao López, Javier Colina, Kicho Díaz, Horacio Cabarcos...
Renaud Garcia-Fons, for instance, is not a Jazz player. He's truly fantastic but he doesn't belong in the Jazz list. There's so much improvised music outside jazz...
Concur: Milt. Paul. Esperanza.
I second this comment .
I was introduced to Ron Carter through A Tribe Called Quest. There’s something about how old samplers mess with the sound quality of an upright that just hits me right.
You probably heard Ron Carter before you heard A Tribe Called Quest, as he was in Herbie Hancocks first band, the band that recorded Cantelope Island, which is probably the most sampled piece I'd music ever recorded, it's also know as "Canteloop". Google it, I promise you you've heard it if you listen to hip hop, hell, Tribe Called West yprobably sampled it themselves.
Yep,
Paul Cambers and Bob Hurst, the reasons I moved to Detroit.
Edgar Meyer.
Scott, thank you for the list! Three of my favorites are Paul Chambers, John Clayton and Rufus Reid.
What @David Wolbert said. And let us never forget the lyricism of Israel Crosby, the swinging foundation of Percy Heath, as well as the general badassery of Gary Peacock.
I would have added Jimmy Blanton (Duke Ellington big band), Paul Chambers, and Oscar Pettiford.
I used to play Hatian Fight Song all the time. I should dig that back up.
Can never get enough Ray Brown.
Shocked to not see Paul Chambers on this list. His playing on Kind Of Blue alone should've been enough to earn a spot on here.
Kudos for including Dave Holland. I wish you had also included Paul Chambers and Miroslav Vitous.
John pattatuci on upright, sounds like what every fretless electric player should sound like.
Fantastic list indeed and I agree totally with those who have suggested those who have been missed...may I also add George Mraz, who IMHO has perfect intonation? How about Dave Friesen who uses a very cool electric upright bass, and some electronics for looping as well as reverb and chorus tones. Let's not forget Mark Johnson. And in Canada, Rene Worst out of Vancouver is a monster on upright as well as fretless.
Thanks again for this video!
Saw Ray Brown live in Shadyside(Pittsburgh) back in '96 with Greg Hutchinson on drums and Benny Green on the keys. Blew my mind.
Richard Davis, Cecil McBee, Milt Hinton, Paul Chambers, Oscar Pettiford,
These greats are in my top 10.
Thanks Scott; amazing bass players both standup and electric.
I agree with all of the phenomenal players on this list but I have to include Edgar Mayer as well
Paul Cambers, Miroslav Vitous, Oscar Pettiford, Jimmy Garrison,
Milt Hinton, Richard Davis, Boris Kaslov, Andy Gonzalez, Eddie Gomez. Jimmy Blanton ( the father of modern jazz bass playing)
Blanton, Pettiford, Chambers
Paul Chambers. Seriously.
Gary Peacock is a bassist I learned of recently who played with Bill Evans after LaFaro's death. Listening to his album Voices now.
Great bassist. Too bad he's such a horse's ass.
Oscar Pettiford was one of the cats who ushered in Bebop and as a bass player who also composed he added so much repertoire to jazz bass.
Great list! I would add Paul chambers, Avishai Cohen, Carlos Henriquez and Hein van de Geyn. 😉
Of all time? Milt Hinton.
Wellman Braud, Blanton, Rufus Reid, Red Mitchell, John Clayton, George Mraz, Pertifird, Gomez, plus the guys Scott Mentioned.
Thanks letting all your electric bass player followers know about all these great upright jazz bass players, many of whom were ripping up the fretboard with blazing solos long before you saw electric bass players solo at all.
Was waiting for this love this list 🙌🏿
Eddie Gómez my favorite Mingus and Carter, my top three
Yeah, I get it that modern listeners may not know him as well as some more recent players, as Mr. P.C. died over a half century ago, but Paul Chambers was one of the greatest jazz bassists of all time, sure as the sun comes up in the morning. Unparalleled taste, tone and technique and he played with a virtual who's who of jazz greats active during the golden era of modern jazz, from Miles Davis to Wes Montgomery. And the Wynton Kelly Trio, to which he belonged, is arguably the finest trio of accompanists ever to take the bandstand. The chemistry between the three of them - Kelly on piano, Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums - was both amazing and beautiful. Chambers also led sessions himself as a leader and these are also highly worthwhile LP efforts.
nice video and hell of a list haha. I'd have added Aladár Pege (hungarian phenomenal upright bass player who's in the possession of Charles Mingus's upright bass by the courtesy of Charles's wife.) and Stefano Scodanibbio.. words can not describe his playing and style. Check it out, im sure youll love it 😎
The great Scott Lafaro with Bill Evans Live in Vanguard my once a week soundtrip.😍
Great list, and a lot of excellent suggestions in the comments so far. No one has mentioned Edgar Meyer yet, though, and that's a shame. Stunning player in classical, bluegrass, jazz, and more, not to mention a gifted composer.
True Dat!
Edgar is phenomenal! There are too many great bass players in jazz history to limit it to a top ten.
@@reidwhitton6248 Edgar is totally phenomenal. His Bottesini is beyond words. Admittedly maybe not the be all end all jazz player, but he is the complete musician, composer, arranger and pedagogue. I had the good fortune, when younger, to study with him briefly. Pure joy.
Blanton's duets with Duke were the starting point for bringing the bass forward. OP - what can I say, listen to him on Stardust. Paul Chambers, Sam Jones and all those people we started to see more in the 60s and 70s. Great list, we all have our own favorites. Happy 85th shoutout to Mr. Carter last week!
France gave beautiful specimens : Pierre Michelot, Henry Texier, J.F Jenny Clarke. Riccardo del Fra (french at heart). Thanks to have mention Renaud Garcia Fons.
Saw Dave Holland live. When soloing, he was not playing double-bass, he was playing music.
Great list. Saw Ron Carter's 85th birthday performance in NY last week and he's still amazing!
Adam Ben Ezra always blows my mind
Solid list!!
Ray Brown.... Incomparable. Top! 🔥🖤
Stanley Clarke on Upright Bass is something else altogether 👌🏿
Charlie Haden.... Poetic 👌🏿
I'd never heard of the Neil fella. Yikes! Technique ✅
McBride ✅✅
Check out Larry Grenadier too 👌🏿
1. Miroslav Vitous
2. Eddie Gomez
3. Stanley Clarke
4. Sam Jones
5. Gary Peacock
6. Marc Johnson
7. Esperanza Spalding
8. Arild Andersen
9. Linda Oh
10. François Moutin
Nailed it! Honorable mention to me is Edgar Meyer
Paul Chambers, Marc Johnson, George Mraz
The Paul Chambers miss 😬I mean geez he plays on Kind of Blue 😳.
But for fun I’ll mention Eddie Gomez! He is a little unknown but a wrecking machine of groove!
Jimmy Blanton, Óscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Cachao, Bob Cranshaw, Jimie Merritt, Jimmy Garrison... The list nevera ends. But I like your video so much.
Solid. I met Ray Brown once when I was a young bass player and he was super chill and was chatting with everyone after the show.
Great list from a very hard task as there are so many legendary players. A few more for consideration
Milt Hinton born 1910, the father of slap bass, played with so many people, before Charlie Parker to Branford Marsalis, and gigged till he was 90,
Rob Wasserman played 5 string upright and electric, recorded with a huge variety of jazz and rock artists and held the double bass chair for the LA Symphonic, legend
Francis Rabbarth rewrote the method book for upright and legend innovator, principally a classical player but I’ve seen him do unbelievable solo versions of Led Zepplin, Lou Reed and The Rolling Stones.
A few comments about Paul Chambers not being on the list, also add Jimmy Garrison from the classic Coltrane quartet. They are also fav players for me for their absolute commitment to solid bass and concrete grooves but neither were considered innovators
Oscar Pettiford, Rufus Reid, Avishai Cohen. Paul Chambers, NHOP
Paul Chambers? Milt Hinton? Slam Stewart? Oscar Pettiford? Jimmy Blanton? Cecil McBee? Larry Gales? Sam Jones? Reggie Workman? Buster Williams?
Scott LaFaro ❤️❤️❤️
Just thinking about getting my first upright. I love the sound of the esbjorn svensson trio and in particular dan berglund. Cheers for the vids.
Simplily Amazing
most of my suggestions were already mentioned by other commenters, but I'll toss one more in: Marc Johnson. Played with Bill Evans (think he was Bill's last bassist), John Abercrombie, Lyle Mays, fronted his own group ("Bass Desires") with John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Peter Erskine... tasteful player with great tone.
amazing list, thanksss!
🙌🏻🧡🔥
Ray Brown made the key statement. Soloists just want a solid four-beat walking bass line. It's what has kept me working. I usually walk the bass all night and MAYBE get one solo. An old saying- 'Nobody hires a bass based on their ability to solo'.
My advice- Let Paul Chambers and Ray Brown be your guide.
As a beginner pianist I wish I could walk all night D:
Do you know jazz at all?
Stanley Clarke maybe overlooked due to his innovative bass guitar work, but he is first a double bass virtuoso.
Great list. I like Eddie Gomez and Anthony Cox also
I think that Eberhard Weber should have gotten a mention. Great vid though.
My list, according to the long term influence in jazz history is the next:
-Walter Page
-Jimmy Blanton
-Oscar Pettiford
-Ray Brown
-Paul Chambers
-Scot Lafaro
-Red Mitchell
-Dave Holland
-Ron Carter
-John Patitucci
Sitting on the bench, waiting for jumping into the list:
George Mraz, Christian McBride, Milt Hinton, Eddie Gómez, Marc Johnson, Chuck Israels, Sam Jones, Charlie Haden.
In a second line: Eddie Safranski, Bob Haggart, Gary Peacock, David Izenzon, Miroslav Vitous, Stanley Clarke, Doug Watkins, Jimmy Garrison, Chubby Jackson, Avisai Cohen, Richard Davis, Everhard Weber, Bob Hurst.
This is my opinion according to historic relevance.
The heritage is amazing. Thanks to all of them.
Love the spotlight videos like this. I know there's tons of videos on the channel so maybe I'm missing them but have you covered much Reggae? So many great players through the years from Aston Barrett and Jakie jackson to more modern stuff like Eric Wilson from Sublime. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the genre and it's iconic musicians.
Thanks for teaching me pretty much everything I know and guiding me through the early stages of finally learning to play the Bass that's been sitting under my bed for years.
Reggae is my genre and was my inspiration to take up the bass !
Thanks for this humbling video Scott. Many of us are judged by the company we keep. We need to always shoot for the moon as to who we play with. The more challenging the players, the further we can go. Wood shedding is a key, but playing with the best is our test track!
🧡🧡🧡
Waouw! Just loved that video, would be my top 10 too, I made some transcriptions it's amazing when you listen to them, but it's even more impressive when you analyse their phrases, the rhythm, musicality, inspiration...
And just to add some of my personal influences, of course Paul Chambers and more contemporary Esperanza Spalding
Cecil McBee and Richard Davis! I really like avant-garde Jazz and it’s frequently Richard Davis playing on the albums I love with the likes of Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Roland Kirk and Jaki Byard. He really set the standard for that type of Jazz.
You are so right!
Would loved to have seen Lloyd Brevett from the Skatalites on this list, that dude was amazing.
You’ve got a great list. I would add, Francois Rabbath (teacher of Renaud ), Paul Chambers and Michel Donato
Slam Stewart as a band leader and playing the bass as a horn with the bow and singing in unison. Stanley Clarke with his unparalleled virtuosity.
This is timely. I made the jump about 6 months ago. It’s so hard. Thanks thought it would be easier. I’m totally happy on an unlined fretless, but this is next level. But I also love it soooo much. It just feels right.
And in terms of who you missed, in no order:
Esperanza Spalding (seriously, how could you miss her out?)
Paul chambers
Chris Minh Dokey
Thank you for talking about Renaud Garcia-Fons. Another great french upright player is Henri Texier (listen to his trio with Louis Sclavis and Aldo Romano). And by the way, Stanley Clarke ?
Scott Lafaro is definitely one of my favorite bassists. That said, I do think its pretty funny he was the one that followed Ray Brown making his point.
All superb 🥳😎
Brian Bromberg - such great tone, Lars Danielsson - so melodic
Plus one on Bromberg. His solo on The Fabulous Baker Brothers soundtrack "Shop Till You Drop" is mind bending!!!
NHOP also had a genuine 4-finger left hand technique. That's pretty rare on upright. He had a remarkable custom quad pickup set-up as well.
His top 3 are my top 3. Mingus is amazing. Brown was the most sought after bassist in his time.
Yeah man ,you missed Jimmy Blanton. He pre dates them all by 20 years , played with early Ellington orchestra. Unfortueately died of TB aged 28. Was amazing and hard to find on vinyl.
Dave Young --- Oscar Peterson. He is always perfectly in tune and plays great, melodic solos.
Chip Jackson, especially his performances with Elvin Jones' "Jazz Machine".
You have to include Ron Carter, Stanley Clark, and Jimmy Blanton. So maybe Top 13 bassists?
Ohhh my Dog, you missed out on Avishai Cohen!!! 😢 Upright master of classical, jazz, middle-eastern....